INDEX
Articles: by title
THE CHALLENGE IS REAL , by Fr Jim Whalen,
1997, Issue 1
URGENT —- EUTHANASIA AND
ASSISTED SUICIDE PUBLICATION IS AT OUR DOORSTEP .....And Priests
for Life is doing something about it!, by Fr Jim Whalen,
1997, Issue 1
TRIUMPH OF THE CROSS,
by Fr Jim Whalen, 1997, Issue 1
“GO TO JOSEPH”,
by Fr. Jim Whalen,1997,
Issue 1
AWAKE AND BE VIGILANT IN MY
DEFENSE (Psalm 35:23),
Fr. Jim Whalen,
1997, Issue 1
THE TRUTH
IS NON-NEGOTIABLE ~REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY~,
by Fr. Jim Whalen,
1997, Issue 2
St. Michael DEFEND US IN
THIS DAY OF BATTLE, by Fr.
Jim Whalen,
1997, Issue 2
THE
FALSE EXALTATION OF
HUMAN FREEDOM, by Fr.
Jim Whalen,1997,
Issue 2
HOW CAN WE BUILD
A CULTURE OF LIFE?,
by Fr. Jim
Whalen,
1997, Issue 2
INTERNATIONAL CONSPIRACY AGAINST
LIFE,
by Fr. Jim Whalen, 1997, Issue 3
SLIDING DOWN THE SLIPPERY SLOPE,
by Fr. Jim Whalen, 1997,
Issue 3
HELPING THE
HEALTH CARE WORKER,
by Fr. Jim Whalen, 1997,
Issue 3
THE SACRED SANCTUARY “SAVE THE
FAMILY AND SAVE SOCIETY”,
by Fr. Jim Whalen, 1997,
Issue 4
GIVE GLORY TO THE HOLY TRINITY (BUILD A
ClVlLlZATlON OF LOVE), Fr. Jim Whalen, 1997, Issue 4
ETERNITY - SMOKING OR NON-SMOKING -
PREPARATION FOR PEACE , by Fr. Jim Whalen,
1997, Issue 4
LIFE IS WORTH LIVING - The
Latimer Family Tragedy, by Fr. Jim Whalen, 1997,
Issue 4
THE CHALLENGE IS REAL
by Fr Jim Whalen
1997, Issue 1
“The dragon was angry against the woman and went off
to make war
on the rest of her offspring...” (Rev. 12:17).
It is clear, priests “Choose Life.” (Deut.
30:15-20). We choose to follow Mary and help defend and rescue her
offspring; “Rescue the Weak”, (Ps 82); to respect human life at all
stages; to protect the interests of the unborn child, the infant, the
infirm, the handicapped and the elderly, from conception to natural
death.
There is no other option. We are “Priests for
Life” or we are not priests of the Holy Roman Catholic Church.
We realize there is a further need for more
intense effort, shared information, whole hearted involvement, unified
strategy and natural prayer support. A pro-life commitment is essential
to all priests. We can make a difference, if we follow Mary to Jesus to
the cross... “Who is she that comes forth as the morning rising, fair as
the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as an army set in battle array.”
(Cant 6:9). She knows the Way of the Cross and has the power to lead us
to victory as Our Lady of Guadalupe. “In me is all grace.” (Ecclus.
24-25).
“Priests for Life, Canada” invites all bishops,
priests and deacons to become part of this much needed association. We
need to pray, work, plan and lead our people together. We need to
inform, teach, motivate and mobilize the faithful in the pro-life
movement. We need each other. We need you. “Be strong in this battle.”
(Eph 6:10-20).
Through abortion people are sinning against the
Holy Spirit, because life comes through the Holy Spirit. We must use all
the gifts of Holy Orders we receive from the Holy Spirit to protect the
sanctity of human life, or many more will be victimized and killed, by
omission as well as by commission, we are called to lead in “The Church
Militant”.
Spiritual warfare is real. Satan knows he can’t
win, but he has not surrendered. He is seeking souls by promoting a
culture of death. No soul is off limits. His main strategy is fear and
deceit. Our strategy is to use the weapons given to us by Jesus: the
Mass; the Word; His Sacramental Graces; the Rosary; the Angels, the
Truth; Marching in Faith and Courage to build “A Culture of Life”, “A
Civilization of Love.” (Pope John Paul II). ¤
Back to index
URGENT —- EUTHANASIA AND
ASSISTED
SUICIDE
PUBLICATION
IS AT OUR
DOORSTEP
.....And Priests for Life is doing something about it!
by Fr Jim Whalen
1997, Issue 1
“EDUCATE, EDUCATE, EDUCATE...”
This is one way we can stop the attitude of killing off those
labeled as ‘unwanted’, ‘undesirable’, ‘costly’ and those who ‘just
don’t fit in’!
First the lives of the unborn were sacrificed, and now others are
being considered.... ‘and all in the name of false compassion’ and the
mistaken idea that we are unable to relieve the suffering of others. But
the general public doesn’t see it that way. They just don’t know that
there is rarely a need for anyone to suffer in this day of technological
medicine.
If someone is planning to end their life, it is because we have
failed as a society to provide the care and understanding that an
individual is reaching for. With modern medicine and palliative care
available today, there is virtually no need for anyone to suffer
unbearable pain.
And Yes, ‘we are our brother’s keeper’! Not only must we defend
our own lives but it is our duty to defend the lives of others. We must
stop the false myth that pain cannot be controlled, that some lives are
more valuable than others, and that we have been given the power to
decide when life begins, when it should end and who should live and who
should die.
One way we can do this is by educating the public. This includes
all Catholics. We cannot assume that even our church-going Catholics
will not fall prey to the false sense of compassion that is quickly
spreading throughout our Canadian society.
Over the past few months, we have been busy, in cooperation with
a number of other groups, preparing a special publication on Euthanasia
and Assisted Suicide specifically for Catholics. The cost of this 12
page newspaper style publication (at only 12 cents each) has been kept
low so that it can be made readily available to our Catholic population.
Please assist Priests for Life in our attempt to educate our fellow
Catholics with the truth about euthanasia and assisted suicide. Turn
this page to find out how you can obtain this publication for all
parishioners in your parish. ¤
Back to index
TRIUMPH OF THE CROSS
by Fr Jim Whalen
1997, Issue 1
“Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the
wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
that whoever believes in Him may have Eternal Life.” (JN, 14-15)
The ‘Bronze Serpent’ is used today as a
symbol by the healing profession to denote their purpose...to protect
and save life, to be at the service of life. This is expressed in the
Hippocratic Oath (400 BC). ‘I will give no deadly medicine to anyone if
asked, nor suggest any such counsel; and in like manner, I will not give
to a woman a pessary to produce abortion; with purity and with holiness,
I will pass my life and practice my art.'
In this season, we celebrate the Triumph of the Cross, when Jesus
drove away darkness and brought in the light, with the gift, the ransom
of His life for our life. He who wins the cross possesses a treasure,
for we are lifted up with the crucified Christ. In it, through it, our
salvation, what we have lost, is restored to us.
We are challenged to be disciples of life, to join Jesus in his
greatest triumph, to follow Him to the pulpit of the cross. Life was
sentenced to death on the cross of Calvary by man. Death was put to
death on the cross of Calvary by Christ.
Jesus was the only one who came to this world to die for us.
Everyone else came to live. Why is it so many today deny this fact? Why
is it so many today deny life to the innocent and weak? "Before man are
life and death. Which-ever he chooses shall be given him." (SIR 15, 17).
The Triumphant Cross questions mankind today about our choosing.
How far can power go in the world? Power ends in it’s own
destruction, for those who slew the foe, lost the day. Evil may have
it’s hour but God will have His day. He is a God of Mercy and Justice.
The darkness in the world today gives primacy to will over reason. It
teaches first the action, then the rationalization of the action. Do
what you please then try to find justification. Use power to attain your
goal then find or make laws to support your position.
Modern philosophy and modern laws make the will primary and have
reason as it’s servant. This is an eclipse of reason and will. This
‘will without reason’, is will to power. Reason has no function that
would determine the targets or goals of life or the will that shoots the
arrows.
Why does God permit Satan, evil and sin, to nail innocent life,
justice to a tree. The risen Christ answers that sin having done its
worst might exhaust itself and be overcome by love that is stronger than
either sin or death. The basis of our hope is not in any construct of
human power but in the power of the Triumphant Cross, where Christ gave
to evil it’s own mortal wound.
We have great hope in Christ’s Triumphant Cross for darkness is
not final except to those who are without God. The heart has a need of
emptying and need of being filled. "God emptied Himself, taking the form
of a slave." (PHIL 2:7). The power of emptying is human, seen in the
love of others. The power of filling belongs to God. This calls us to
exclaim: "Not my will but yours be done Lord; what you will, when you
will. Let it be soon. We choose life from the moment of conception until
natural death." Let us lift high the cross, the means to protect and
save human life so that we may multiply, magnify and glorify the Lord. ¤
Back to index
“GO TO JOSEPH”
by Fr. Jim Whalen
1997, Issue 1
"Go to Joseph and
do all that he shall say to you." (Gen 41:55). These words were spoken by the
pharoh to his people in the seven years of famine, which Joseph had prepared for
after interpreting the dreams of years of plenty and want. Similar words were
spoken by Jacob, Joseph’s father, to his sons when he sent them to Egypt for
help: "Go so...that we may survive and not die." (Gen 42, 2). The Joseph
referred to was able to help his adopted people and his family, saving many
lives. The advice given was wise.
Today we receive the same kind of advice, to turn in our time of
need to a greater advocate, a greater deliverer, St. Joseph, Patron of
Priests for Life, Canada, so that our unborn children may survive and
not die.
Today, Pope John Paul II tells us: "We still have good reason to
commend everyone to St. Joseph...Let us learn from him how to be
servants in the economy of salvation. The church commends all of her
care including those dangers which threaten the human family." (Redemptoris
Custos, John Paul II, 1989, P. 42).
St. Joseph speaks to us by his actions. He said nothing when he
was given marching orders by the angel when the Holy Innocent, Jesus,
was in danger: "Arise, take the child and his mother and fly into
Egypt." (Matt 2, 13).
St. Joseph’s way was in doing, in obedience. No excuses. No delays. No
help was promised him. He was the faithful servant, "The Just Man" (Matt
1:19), that was called to be husband of Mary, the foster father of
Jesus, the Protector of Mary and Jesus. He was chosen to be the
deliverer of Jesus from Herod’s edict of killing Jesus, killing Life.
Many Holy Innocents were slaughtered. Today we have another holocaust
with abortion killings. (Yearly - 50 million in the world; 0ver 100,000
in Canada - 300 on a daily basis)
We are challenged to be doers, to end abortion! St. Teresa of
Jesus tells us "St. Joseph never refused her anything" (Life, 6). We
need St. Joseph’s fatherly protection. He can help us return good for
evil, "Do Justice" (ISA 1:10-17). ¤
ST. JOSEPH is...
commemorated every Wednesday.
commemorated every March.
a Patron Saint of Priests for Life, Canada.
Back to index
IN MY DEFENSE
(Psalm 35:23)
Fr. Jim Whalen
1997, Issue 1
A dissident group calling itself "Catholics
of Vision, Canada", opposes certain key Catholic disciplines and
teachings. This amalgamation of Catholic Network for Women's Equality;
Concerned Catholics of Ottawa; Ottawa Corpus (assn. of married priests);
and Dignity (gays and lesbians), follows the lead of similar
Australian, German, British, Latin American and American protestors.2
Of particular concern to pro-life advocates are their proposals
regarding a false freedom of conscience that does not recognize Divine
Law or objective truth, (Relativism ); and a false freedom from Church
censure, (Rebellion); allowing erroneous anti-life opinions to be taught
in Catholic institutions in place of Church doctrine: i.e.
“Contraceptives are evil” (Humanae Vitae)1 They choose the slippery
slope, rejecting Natural Family Planning (W.O.M.B.)1; opting for I.P.P.F.
(International Planned Parenthood Federation), (James Sedlak, Deadly
Deception )2 choosing recreational sex, the birth control route; the
pill; RU 486, IUD, condoms, abortifacients, abortion, euthanasia and
assisted suicide.1
The truth is found in Pope John Paul II's pro-life
teachings.(Veritatis Splendour, Evangelium Vitae) .1 Bishops are not
fooled by verbal engineering. They unmask the hidden agenda: trying to
"gut" the Church. (Bishop E. Troy, New Brunswick); and trying to direct
the Church into "liberalization and democratization." (Archbishop A.
Exner, Vancouver) (Pro-life Canada e-news)
Observe and read Archbishop T. Bertone's ‘Magisterial Documents
and Public Dissent’: "Theology can never be reduced to the private
reflection of a theologian or group of theologians... Bishops are
obliged to enforce the Church's normative discipline especially when it
is a question of defending the integrity of the teaching of Divine
Truth." (L'Osservatore Romano, Jan 29,1997) Study the anti-Christian and
anti-life positions now evident in UNICEF and also in OECTA (Ontario
English Catholic Teachers’ Association). (Catholic Insight,
Jan-Feb,1997)
The Church is pro-life, "a sign of contradiction." (Lk 2:34) Pray
for life and truth, a change of heart and mind.
¤
Back to index
~REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY~
by Fr. Jim Whalen
1997, Issue 2
Definitions as defined in Bill C-47...
ZYGOTE means a human organism during the first fourteen days of
its development following fertilization, excluding any time spent in a
frozen state.
EMBRYO means a Human organism during the period of its
development beginning on the fifteenth day and ending on the
fifty-sixth day following fertilization.
FOETUS means a human organism during the period of its
development beginning
on the fifty-seventh day following fertilization and ending at birth.
The Canadian Catholic Conference of Bishops (CCCB), The Catholic
Organization for Life and Family (COLF-a joint project of the CCCB and
the Knights of Columbus), the Catholic Health Care Organization (CHO),
Campaign Life Coalition (CLC) and the Catholic Woman’s League (CWL),
have recommended that Bill C-47 be amended. It is recognized that It
"shows a real desire to protect human life from the beginning, but at
the same time it underlines a serious incoherence", leaving "a legal
vacuum that is unacceptable". (Archbishop B. Blanchet).
If Bill C-47 is passed, it would ban 13 reproductive practices
and genetic technologies including the selling or trading of human
embryos, and the creation of embryos for research purposes. The CCCB
brief reaffirmed the basic life principle that "Life comes from God in
whose image everyone is created. Human life and dignity must therefore
be protected and respected from the beginning." The Canadian bishops
call for a defining of embryos, fetuses and zygotes as ‘human beings’,
rather than as ‘human organisms’. They called for amendments to ban any
research or experimentation on embryos, fetuses or zygotes unless it is
clearly therapeutic for that particular life , with no other form of
reliable therapy available.
In keeping with Evangelium Vitae, treating with the question of
conscience re: "restrictive or permissive law", an elected official ...
"could licitly support proposals aimed at limiting the harm done by such
a law and lessening it’s negative consequences at the level of general
opinion and public morality. This does not in fact represent an illicit
cooperation with an unjust law, but rather a legitimate and proper
attempt to limit it’s evil aspects." (Sect. 73)
At a recent seminar on Reproductive Technologies and Genetic
Engineering (Apr. 22, 1997), sponsored by the Ottawa Archdiocesan CWL,
whose national body had proposed changes to Bill C-47 last June, the
morality of Catholics supporting Bill C-47 was debated. Priests for
Life, Human Life International, Action Life Ottawa and Campaign Life
Coalition were some of the groups which promoted, assisted and
participated in this united effort. By applying section 73 of Evangelium
Vitae, as a particular case, it is shown there is nothing immoral in "an
elected official" supporting this bill, providing their personal
position re: respect for human life at all stages was clear. Both Deacon
Dr.
Robert McDonald ( a board member of Priests for Life, Canada) and myself
(Fr. Jim Whalen), said we could not support Bill C-47 in it’s entirety.
It needed amendments. According to Deacon Dr. McDonald, "The true agenda
is that the brave new world technology tends to become a eugenics
program ...the mass production of designer babies according to
pre-conceived specifications."
In the area of Christian spiritual expediency, seeking the will
of God does not limit an individual to only one good or moral choice.
The fact that one could choose to support Bill C-47 as "an elected
official", does not mean this is necessarily the only or preferred
option. "The fact that the unborn are not entitled to legal protection
by the Canadian Criminal Code, (ie: Drummond case results) until they
pass from the other’s womb, defies common sense and offends the moral
sense of the average person." (Letter to Prime Minister Jean Chretien,
from Archbishop Exner of COLF). In the on-going debate, some have
difficulty perceiving this approach ‘as the most prudent decision’. It
is somewhat ambiguous, a possible future compromising of some basic life
principles, that could cause confusion or mislead others, given the
unacceptable on-going practices (ie:defining the fetus as a human
organism; donations of ova or sperm -- Bill C-47).
Pope John Paul II directs us to scripture: "We must refuse any
compromise or ambiguity which might conform us to the world’s way of
thinking." (Rom 12:2). "We must be in the world but not of the world." (JN
15:19) (E.V. 82)
To support Bill C-47, would imply provisional acceptance of an
incremental approach which promises much, but in some instances
disregards the fact that ideas and actions have consequences (ie:
partial-birth abortion, pre-marital co-habitation). Our faithful bishops
thankfully rejected the Catholics of Vision approach, combining
acceptable and non-acceptable positions together in one document, trying
to compromise people’s positions gradually, obtaining their assent in
the beginning with the obvious non-issues and leading to crucial issues,
couched in verbal manipulative engineering (ie: freedom to choose birth
control).
We must resist all attacks on our lifeline, beginning with the
acceptance of the premises of our opposition, especially in terms of
definition. They have tried in the past to lead us into treating the
"which" and "how" of contraception and abortion, rather than the
‘whether’ of such immoral actions leading down the slippery slope, to
euthanasia, assisted suicide and in some areas of experimental
reproductive technology and genetic engineering. We should proclaim the
truth, protecting human life at all stages and reject any proposal or
law which goes against natural law, God’s objective truth or the
Church’s moral teachings.
Pope John Paul II has emphasized that in our approach we should
spend less time in reacting to error and more time in promoting the
truth. We must not be afraid or we will be paralyzed and do nothing. In
a pluralistic society there are strong cultural currents with differing
outlooks, that sometimes sway decision making. St. Benedict advocated
the priority of serving God rather than being overly caught up in
cultural concerns. This is especially applicable in governments or
societies that choose to act as if God did not exist. "We must obey God
rather than men." (Acts 5:29). The right to life of a human fetus is
non-negotiable. To experiment on a human fetus, is not acceptable. The
truth is non-negotiable.
We must teach about the unity between truth and freedom, faith
and morality, morality and law. We must teach that freedom is limited
by natural law and God’s objective truth. We must affirm and teach the
reality of the person, Jesus Christ, who is objective truth, who teaches
us what it is to be human. We must take a strong stand with the Church
in our basic principles to protect human life at all stages with no
exceptions. Governments should protect innocent human beings at all
stages; the unborn human being: (zygote, embryo, fetus): infants;
children; families; motherhood and the handicapped or the elderly. They
should not interfere with the God-given right of human life, from
conception until natural death. The voice of the Creator is clear:
"Choose Life" (Deut 30:15-20). "Do Justice" (IS 1:10-17). Let us pray to
Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Joseph and St. Michael that any and all
legislation introduced will defend and protect human life at all stages.
¤
Back to index
St. Michael
DEFEND US IN
THIS DAY OF BATTLE
by Fr. Jim Whalen
1997, Issue 2
"St. Michael, defend us in this day of battle". In the book of
Daniel, it was foretold that when the world was once again in real trouble,
St. Michael the Archangel would come to our rescue. At the present time
there seems to be a conspiracy of silence about our companions, the good
angels. They are often ignored, neglected or forgotten. Pope John XXIII
considered devotion to the angels as essential for Christians. He often
spoke of the support given to priests by angels to touch people’s hearts.
Pope Pius XII reminded us, "We will have to make a pact with the angels, to
form with them one strong family because of the times that are to come." We
need the help of the angels because we are weak creatures and continue to be
the target of a continuous attack and ambush of satan, a fallen angel. His
tactic is annihilation. There is the annihilation of spiritual life through
falsehood. There is the annihilation of physical life through murder,
especially evident in the world today. (55 million abortions a year in the
world; over 300 a day in Canada.)
We need the prince of light, St. Michael, to help us to overcome
the prince of darkness, to defend life: "At that time Michael will rise
up, the great prince, who stands for the children of your people." (DAN
12:1)
We need the warrior angel, St. Michael, to lead us in spiritual
battle for life, under the command of Mary, Queen of Angels, against
"the powers and sovereignties, the spiritual army of evil." (EPH 6:12)
We need St. Michael, Guardian Angel of the Church, to help
restore the cross and the chalice of blood, the symbols of redemption;
truth and life to our Church. He is seen as our intercessor and bearer
of the Church’s prayers before the Throne of God: "An angel of the Lord
stood near the altar of the temple, having a golden censer in his hand."
(Offertory, Mass of St. Michael). He points to the infinite value and
power of the Mass to have, restore and heal life by His presence with
thousands of angels.
In tradition, St. Michael is portrayed as the Prince of the
Heavenly Host, Guardian Angel of the Church Militant, Conqueror of
Lucifer, and Head of God’s Mighty Invisible Army. He is presented as
Chief of several orders of ministering angels. He is especially
reverenced as an Angel of Mercy, a Healer, in France, Egypt, Turkey and
Italy, where he appeared.
Priests for Life choose St. Michael the Archangel as one of our
patrons, for he was the first to defend and protect God’s children in
the spirit world. There was a great battle in Heaven when Michael and
his angels attacked the dragon "... and they were defeated and driven
out of Heaven." (APOC 12:7). The evil one continues to oppose Mary and
the Church and "to make war on the rest of her children" (APOC 12:17).
We call on St. Michael to extend the same protection for all human
children, in all stages of life, the unborn, the infant, youth, adults,
the family, the elderly and the handicapped.
In this present age of open and secret revolt against God and His
Church, the rights of God are mocked and denied when His children are
denied protection in the womb. Our battle must not only be defensive but
an aggressive spiritual campaign against every threat to human life. We
need St. Michael to intervene for us. Let us call on his name, our
victorious cry: "Who is like unto God." Let us follow Pope John Paul
II’s advice, in this real time of trouble, to once again pray the prayer
of Pope Leo XIII..... ¤
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be
our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God
rebuke him, we humbly pray and do thou, oh Prince of the Heavenly Hosts,
by the Power of God, cast down into hell satan, and all his evil spirits
who wander now throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.
Back to index
by Fr. Jim Whalen
1997, Issue 2
One of the most basic faults we observe today
is the attempt to divorce human freedom from dependence on God. This is a false
exaltation of human freedom, with no objective moral limits (ie: contraceptive
practices). This occurs when objective moral law is ignored or rejected in favor
of the subjective moral judgment (ie: pre-marital co-habitation resulting in
recreative sex). This directly contradicts the fundamental option that every
human being is called upon to make during life: to either accept or reject the
will of God. (VS 66) Scriptures are very clear on this point: "Do not use your
freedom as an opportunity for the flesh." (GAL 5:13)
When conscience becomes the final judge for a person of what is
right or wrong, independent of the objective laws of God, there results
a radical conflict between moral law and conscience and between nature
and freedom. Such is the case in euthanasia.
Genuine freedom is dependent on truth, on God. When we know the
truth and when we know the will of God, we know there are specific moral
imperatives in God’s natural universal and unchangeable moral law to
enlighten us, as outlined in revelation and Catholic teaching, as
presented in the Church Magisterium. To reject these laws is to become
enslaved, deciding for oneself what is right or wrong: (ie: regarding
contraception, direct sterilization, homosexuality, masturbation,
pre-marital sexual relations, artificial insemination). This is a form
of "moral iconoclasm" (VS 47), which contradicts the unity of the human
person, as destined for an eternal life in body and soul (VS 48)
Where natural law provides us with the basic principles of
morality, the conscience is the practical judgment which tells us what
we are to do here and now (VS 61) (ie: rescue the weak; respect life;
protect the innocent, the unborn). Forming our conscience means to be
taught by the Church Magisterium what God expects of us in the moral
order. The morality of human acts depends on what a person does, why he
does it and how or under what circumstances it is done. Our moral
behavior should always be guided by one primary motive, to please God.
We must beware of pragmatism, relativism and positivism. Church
institutions must be challenged to live up to the Church’s moral
doctrine. We are to become Holy. (VS 115).
Our freedom is real but limited. It is real because we can
choose what is good and cooperate with the grace of God. It is limited
by original sin and personal sins. We become free to the degree that we
give up ourselves to the service of God and our neighbour. We should be
ready to die for proclaiming the truth, speaking out about the false
separation between faith and morality. We cannot allow innocent unborn
human beings to be put to death by anti-Christian, anti-life advocates.
We cannot sit by and do nothing while human fetuses are experimented on.
The very existence of a sane society depends on our universal duty to
observe the laws of morality. (VS 96) We must let Mary and Joseph be our
models to live a moral life. ¤
Back to index
by Fr. Jim Whalen
1997, Issue 2
Pope John Paul II proposes "A Day
of Life" which could be celebrated each year in every country.(E.V. 85) Some
countries have already committed themselves to this cause. Let us storm Heaven
boldly. "A great prayer for life is urgently needed. Let us discover anew the
humility and the courage to pray and fast so that the power from on high will
break down the walls of lies and deceit: the walls which conceal from the sight
of so many of our brothers and sisters the evil practices and laws which are
hostile to life." (E.V. 100)
Recently, a brother priest asked Priests for Life to stir up
interest in Canada for "A Day of Life". The Feast of the Visitation
seemed to be the date most organizations favored. With two expectant
mothers, Mary and Elizabeth, focusing attention on the new human life
they carried within their wombs, Jesus and John. Perhaps our bishops
would respond to this initial interest if they were encouraged to do so.
Of special concern is the authentic education of young adults in
moral values and training in chastity. (E.V. 97). Of equal importance is
training in Natural Family Planning (ie: W.O.M.B.). This means rejecting
the hedonistic mentality found in our society, that promotes
irresponsible recreational sexuality with a self-centered concept of
freedom, resulting in contraceptive practices and the multiplication of
abortifacient chemical products, devices and vaccines (ie: Depo-provera,
Norplant, Microval, Triphasil and Nordette). Secularism promoted sex
without babies. Today it promotes babies without sex, with
artificial reproductive methods (ie: in vitro fertilization methods)
that separate procreation from the human conjugal act, devoid of human
love.
We must reveal and oppose the international organizations and
governments that support the present culture of death mentality, such as
Planned Parenthood Federations, UNICEF and the United Nations Population
Fund, which implement oppressive population control regimes as in China
(one child per
family policy). We must also oppose the multi-national cartels that
promote a false demography, a global overpopulation myth, that seek to
manipulate and destroy life (ie: forced sterilization camps of India).
The World Bank refuses to aid needy countries’ projects until their
government accepts population control quotas.
Our bishops have recently challenged us to question our leaders
about their ethics on life, their preferential option for the poor and
the marginalized and their accountability in stewardship. We cannot
support moral bankruptcy. We need leaders who will live and speak the
truth, who recognize God as their Creator, who listen and heed His
natural and moral laws, who are not afraid to live as Christians.
Mother Theresa reminds us of our part in this struggle: "What we
are doing is a Drop in the Ocean, but without us the Ocean would be one
Drop less." Let us accept the challenge of Pope John Paul II to proclaim
the truth of Veritatis Splendour: "To preach the word, be unfailing in
patience and in teaching". (TIM 4:1-5) Let us build a culture of life.
Join us in writing to our Canadian bishops to encourage 'A Day of Life'
for Canada. ¤
Back to index
by Fr. Jim Whalen
1997, Issue 3
An international population
control program exists today which teaches an erroneous theory of
overpopulation. This false concept of demographic explosion is promoted
by the more economically developed countries “who are either responsible
for the poverty in other nations and/or are unwilling to cooperate in
helping these countries to cope with their high population.” (E.V. 16,
Pope John Paul II) Instead of dealing with the dignity of individuals
and families and their right to life, international organizations such
as IPPF, UNFPA, WHO, World Bank, PPFC, USAID, UNICEF, CIDA and CAPPD
promote an inhuman policy of massive birth control, proposing
contraception, sterilization and abortions as their solutions.
In order to understand this
issue, it is helpful to go back to the origins and causes of such false
propaganda. It is clear that fear, power and greed are among the main
reasons for this manipulation and imposition of birth control. The
Pharaoh of Egypt acted out of fear, considering the Israelites a threat
because they were “numerous and strong” declaring it “prudent to take
steps against their increasing.” (EX 1:9-11) He forced them into slavery
and made their lives unbearable. He ordered that every male child born
of the Hebrew woman was to be killed. “If it is a boy, kill him.” (EX
1:16) The same anti-birth policy is forced on nations today, but goes
further to invade the very wombs of women, the most dangerous place to
be in this day and age. (over 55 million abortions annually in the
world; over 300 daily in Canada)
Rev. Thomas Malthus’ Credo, (1798)
depicted his principle of population: “The power of population is
indefinitely greater than the power of the earth to produce subsistence
for man.” His theory was rendered obsolete by 1900 when food production
kept pace with or exceeded population increases, due to numerous
technological advances.
The fact is we do not have a world
overpopulation problem, we do have however, a distribution problem of
resources (food, etc.), and political, economical and social justice
problems. There is also a lack of technological development in many
underdeveloped countries. The world population is roughly six billion.
In Canada, the province of Alberta has 255,285 square miles, enough to
house the world population in single family homes. (HLI, Deadly
Deception, P.29) The world today could support 100 billion with
everything needed for life. (Population Re-search Institute, Falls
Church, VA, USA 22041)
World power and control is a
driving force behind the depopulation policy. “Rich countries perceive
population numbers in the third world as a threat to their security.”
(The New World Order and Demographic Security, Michael Shooyans, Sept.
1995) It is for the benefit of the rich that others are asked to live in
anti-life and birth-control regimes. Contraceptive imperialism, a
culture of death is imposed by an elite minority trying to control the
future majority.
An international population
control program is evident in a strategy for developing countries. It
begins with persuading or forcing national legislatures to accept as a
given: ‘small families = progress’. Countries are then flooded with
contraceptives, pills, abortifacients, etc. (suppression of fertility).
This is followed by a massive propaganda campaign, to embrace sex as
recreational, limiting family numbers (i.e.: one child per family policy
in China). Family ties are severed (groundwork for abortion). Next
coercive incentives for large scale neutering are set up (i.e.:
sterilization camps in India). When attempts at contraception failure,
abortion was proposed as a necessary follow up, with meaningless
restrictions so as to ensure later acceptance. Following this initial
stage of controversy, humanitarian reasons are given to remove abortion
restrictions. Finally, when respect for the unborn or preborn has been
adequately suppressed, the legalization of euthanasia and assisted
suicide can commence. (summary of the Seven Step Strategy”, the Facts of
Life, Brian Clowes, 1997, P.292, HLI publication) The following step is
already in progress, reproductive technology or eugenic engineering:
“The mass production of designer babies according to pre-conceived
specifications”. (Deacon Dr. R. McDonald, board member, Priests for
Life, Canada)
In our Western Hemisphere Region
the International Planned Parenthood Federation (formerly called ‘The
American Birth Control League’ (ABCL), was founded by Margaret Sanger
with the opening of a clinic in Brooklyn, New Yord, USA in October of
1916. Her three main directions were: free sex, birth control and
eugenics. She accepted abortion as a method of birth control. She wanted
all women to enjoy sex ...“without having to bear children they didn’t
want”. She advocated absolute control over the number of children by
almost any means: i.e. Quinine pills to prevent implantation... “The
most merciful thing that a large family does to one of its infant
members is to kill it”. (Women and the New Race, Margaret Sanger, 1920,
P.63, ‘Deadly Deception’) To Sanger, eugenics meant the elimination
through birth control, including abortion, of all people she considered
to be of ‘dysgenic stock’, those she considered unfit. PPFA operates 938
clinics that perform surgical abortions. It receives an income of $478
million a year, and commits 133,289 abortions per year. (PPFA Annual
Report, 1994-1995) The figures are staggering. In China during
1975-1995, more than 200 million preborn children have been killed, with
14,371,843 in 1983 alone. (Slaughter of Innocents, John S. Aird,
‘Coercive Birth Control in China’, 1990)
In Canada, the PPFC International
efforts are directed toward Colombia, (24% of international funds)
Mexico (5%), and the Caribbean (4%). Teens are instructed in birth
control by the implementation of ‘under 20 clubs’. The CAPPD was
established under MP Jean Augustine (Liberal) just prior to the last
federal election, with the purpose of implementing UN population control
schemes and to promote Canada’s role in pushing these schemes on poor
countries. The CIDA contributed more than $1 million in the form of
foreign aid to UNFPA for eradicating poverty and averting environmental
catastrophe, responding to the myths of exploding population and
encroaching climate crises. (Global Family News Net)
The UN agency, UNFPA has claimed
that the world is overpopulated, and advocates contraception,
sterilization and abortion world-wide. Somehow they have forgotten God
is the creator: “It is morally unacceptable to encourage, let alone
impose, the use of methods such as contraception, sterilization and
abortion in order to regulate births”. (E.V. 91).
The best way to defeat these
powerful agencies is to be informed, promote Christian values, be
involved in education of our children, join a pro-life organization such
as Priests for Life, and most important, pray always for our Lady of
Guadalupe’s victory plan to build a culture of life, a civilization of
love; St. Joseph’s protection plan for families and St. Michael the
Archangel’s defense plan of working together with all the angels, saints
and people of good will. ¤
Back to index
SLIDING DOWN THE SLIPPERY SLOPE
by Fr. Jim Whalen
1997, Issue 3
“St. Michael, defend us in
this day of battle”. In the book of Daniel, it was foretold that when
the world was once again in real trouble, St. Michael the Archangel
would come to our rescue. At the present time there seems to be a
conspiracy of silence about our companions, the good angels. They are
often ignored, neglected or forgotten. Pope John XXIII considered
devotion to the angels as essential for Christians. He often spoke of
the support given to priests by angels to touch people’s hearts. Pope
Pius XII reminded us, “We will have to make a pact with the angels, to
form with them one strong family because of the times that are to come.”
We need the help of the angels because we are weak creatures and
continue to be the target of a continuous attack and ambush of satan, a
fallen angel. His tactic is annihilation. There is the annihilation of
spiritual life through falsehood. There is the annihilation of physical
life through murder, especially evident in the world today. (55 million
abortions a year in the world; over 300 a day in Canada.)
We need the prince of light,
St. Michael, to help us to overcome the prince of darkness, to defend
life: “At that time Michael will rise up, the great prince, who stands
for the children of your people.” (DAN 12:1)
We need the warrior angel, St.
Michael, to lead us in spiritual battle for life, under the command of
Mary, Queen of Angels, against “the powers and sovereignties, the
spiritual army of evil.” (EPH 6:12)
We need St. Michael, Guardian
Angel of the Church, to help restore the cross and the chalice of blood,
the symbols of redemption; truth and life to our Church. He is seen as
our intercessor and bearer of the Church’s prayers before the Throne of
God: “An angel of the Lord stood near the altar of the temple, having a
golden censer in his hand.” (Offertory, Mass of St. Michael). He points
to the infinite value and power of the Mass to have, restore and heal
life by His presence with thousands of angels.
In tradition, St. Michael is
portrayed as the Prince of the Heavenly Host, Guardian Angel of the
Church Militant, Conqueror of Lucifer, and Head of God’s Mighty
Invisible Army. He is presented as Chief of several orders of
ministering angels. He is especially reverenced as an Angel of Mercy, a
Healer, in France, Egypt, Turkey and Italy, where he appeared.
Priests for Life choose St.
Michael the Archangel as one of our patrons, for he was the first to
defend and protect God’s children in the spirit world. There was a
great battle in Heaven when Michael and his angels attacked the dragon
“... and they were defeated and driven out of Heaven.” (APOC 12:7). The
evil one continues to oppose Mary and the Church and “to make war on the
rest of her children” (APOC 12:17). We call on St. Michael to extend the
same protection for all human children, in all stages of life, the
unborn, the infant, youth, adults, the family, the elderly and the
handicapped.
In this present age of open
and secret revolt against God and His Church, the rights of God are
mocked and denied when His children are denied protection in the womb.
Our battle must not only be defensive but an aggressive spiritual
campaign against every threat to human life. We need St. Michael to
intervene for us. Let us call on his name, our victorious cry: “Who is
like unto God.” Let us follow Pope John Paul II’s advice, in this real
time of trouble, to once again pray the prayer of Pope Leo XIII.....
¤
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us
in battle. Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the
devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray and do thou, oh Prince of the
Heavenly Hosts, by the Power of God, cast down into hell satan, and all
his evil spirits who wander now throughout the world seeking the ruin of
souls.
Amen.
HELPING THE
HEALTH
CARE WORKER
by Fr. Jim Whalen
1997, Issue 3
Some years ago, Fr. Joseph Gravel, a teacher at Ottawa
University School of Nursing related to his students an account which
occurred at the Sudbury General Hospital. An operating room nurse,
Cecile Rivet, was expected to take part in a 'Dilatation and Curettage
procedure' (D & C). When she found out it was an abortion, she refused.
The doctor threatened to have her removed permanently from her work if
she did not assist him. She reported it immediately to her
administrator. The doctor was reprimanded. This nurse displayed the
characteristics of an alert and courageous health care worker with
strong Christian moral values.
Today many of our health care workers are facing the same problem,
having to make choices between conscience and career, as recently
reported in the Catholic Register regarding Bishop Frederick Henry's
letter accusing the Thunder Bay Regional Hospital of riding "Roughshod
over ethical considerations 'for the sake of administrative
convenience'." (July 28, 1997). No one should take part or be forced to
assist in abortions. The health care profession is meant to be "An
unflinching affirmation of Life"... "Absolute respect for every innocent
human life also requires the exercise of conscientious objection in
relation to procured abortion and euthanasia". (Evangelium Vitae #89)
Part of the dilemma revolves around providing adequate health care,
while at the same time allowing for personal values and moral beliefs.
In 1988, the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO) approved
the following
excerpt from the Canadian Nurses Association Code of Ethics (though this
code has been changed since 1988, to the best of our knowledge this
section remains unchanged): "A nurse is not ethically obliged to provide
requested care when compliance would involve a violation of her or his
moral beliefs, when that request falls within recognized forms of health
care. However, the client should be referred to a more appropriate
health care practitioner. Nurses who have or are likely to encounter
such situations are morally obliged to seek to arrange conditions of
employment so that the care of clients is not jeopardized."
The ethical framework for nursing in Ontario is represented in their
magazine: "All nurses have their own personal values which must not
interfere with client's right to receive care. Clients' values however,
are of primary consideration when planning care...When a client's wish
conflicts with a nurse's personal values, and the nurse believes that
she or he cannot provide care, the nurse needs to arrange for another
care giver and withdraw from the situation. If no other care giver can
be arranged, the nurse must provide the immediate care required. If no
other solution can be found, the nurse may have to leave a particular
place of employment in order to adhere to her or his moral values."
(College Communique, Feb. 1995, #20)
Various solutions have been proposed to resolve this situation of
participating in duties that conflict with health care workers' personal
values or moral codes. In the United States, state legislatures protect
health care workers with exemption statutes, that individuals must claim
in writing, with no resulting penalties or disciplinary action, with
accommodation for moral or religious beliefs. In emergency medical
situations the health care worker is required to assist, as the
individual's right to life overrides the right to a particular
lifestyle. In Canada, the long term solution would be to have conscience
clauses enacted at the provincial and federal levels. This approach is
supported by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms: (Section 2, Freedom of
Conscience and Freedom of Religion). Immediate action would entail
appealing to the Workers Union, the Provincial Labour Board and the
Human Rights Board. At present Campaign Life Coalition is preparing to
introduce 'Conscience Legislation' into Canada. Senator S. Haidasz has
drafted a bill to amend the Criminal Code to prevent coercion of health
care workers or offend personal values or moral standards and religious
beliefs.
Pope John Paul II points out that: "For Hippocratic ethics, as for
Christian Morality, the life of each human being is a value which cannot
be called into question...it must be defended and watched over. In a
word, it must be served. If this imperative applies to everybody, it
must apply first and foremost and above all else to health care
workers." (The Charter for Health Care Workers: A synthesis of
Hippocratic Ethics and a Christian Morality, Vatican City, 1995) The
principal aim of the charter is to guarantee ethical faithfulness of
health care workers so they can build through their choices and behavior
a civilization of love and life, without which society looses its human
meaning.
Health care workers are challenged to uphold the right of man to life
and to his dignity. In order to carry out their preventive and
therapeutic stewarding and promotion of health and the improvement of
the lives of people, medical faculties should allot more time to the
study of the Church's social teaching through appropriate research and
interdisciplinary studies. This would enable students to acquire : "An
integrated social vision of the medical profession, making it possible
for them to exercise appropriate discernment of the requests for medical
intervention, making the right decision and if necessary, being spurred
even to the point of conscientious objection" (Faith Offers Integral
Vision of Health Care, Pope John Paul II, to Italian Catholic Doctors,
Nov. 25, 1995). ¤
Back to index
THE
SACRED SANCTUARY
“SAVE THE FAMILY
AND SAVE SOCIETY”
by Fr. Jim Whalen
1997, Issue 4
In this sacred season, we are challenged
once again by our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II to save the ‘Domestica
Ecclesia’, the miniature church, the Sanctuary of Life ... the Family.
Only in this way can we hope to save our present society from self
destruction: “The family is the basic cell of society. It is the cradle
of life and love, the place in which the individual is born and grows.
Therefore a primary concern is reserved for this community, especially
in those times when human egoism, the anti-birth campaign, totalitarian
politics, situations of poverty, material, cultural and moral misery,
threaten to make these very springs dry up. Furthermore, ideologies and
various systems, together with forms of uninterest and indifference,
dare to take over the role in education proper to the family... the
family can and must require from all, beginning with public authority,
the respect for those rights which in saving the family will save
society itself.” (Christifideles Laici, #40)
The Church, the “Family of Families” is the
Mother who defends God’s universal moral directives, who remains loyal
to the absolute that the family and its rights are a sacred sanctuary.
This role cannot be replaced by governments, that advocate uniformity in
place of true unity, that permit and promote a contraceptive mentality
and a laissez faire attitude, in which the ambiguous will of the people
(false democracy) adopts a culture of death agenda. Many have abandoned
unity with the universal, hierarchical and charismatic Church, (the Holy
Roman Catholic Church), in various forms of particular, independent,
regional and national models, through declared or undeclared opposition.
Others seek to use their positions of power in various institutes to
promote disobedience and dissent, under the umbrella of creativity,
liturgical innovation and by introducing private agendas through
manipulation and compromission of educational programs, and mass media.
These abuses are easy to discover and discern by observing the constant
defiance of the teaching magesterium of the Church, evident in
alternative secular hierarchies of values that give no priority to the
sanctity of life, the family or the Creator’s laws and precepts. This is
very obvious to those who follow Christ and our Holy Father’s teachings.
“The restoration of culture depends upon the restoration of Divine Order
to human affairs. The survival of a truly human community on this planet
depends upon the rediscovery of the principles of Catholic thinking,
doctrine, practice and spirituality. This will depend largely upon the
re-evangelization of our Catholic people, and that begins with the
foundation - the family.” (Michael O’Brien, The Family and the New
Totalitarianism (1995, P. 59-60)
Some of the threats to family life are rampant
and becoming worldwide: contraception, abortion, sterilization,
euthanasia, assisted suicide and mercy killing. Others result from
immoral life styles: pre-marital sex, recreational sex, homosexuality
and sex related diseases. We are surrounded by attempts to redefine
spouse and family to include multiple partners or same sex unions (i.e.
recent court decision in British Columbia). Following, there’s the
destructive consequence of the Aids Virus epidemic (1.4 million
increase worldwide in 1996; 30 million are infected worldwide (14,000 of
these Canadians); over 1500 infected in Ottawa alone, 388 deaths). There
is also the recognized attempts at indoctrination by governments through
education systems to pre-empt the role of parents in protecting and
educating their children (overriding the subsidiarity principal),
thereby fracturing the family. “In the end the only real chance a child
has to grow up safe and whole, to live and grow and learn and find
happiness is to be raised in a strong family”. (Barbara Johnson, The
UN-Convention on the Rights of the Child-Fracturing the Family, AFWUF
Voice, Jan/Feb 1990)
Our Holy Church has addressed these abuses in
various teaching documents: Humane Vitae, Familiaris Consortio,
Veritatis Splendor, Evangelium Vitae; etc. Pope John Paul II denounced
some of these evils recently in Bologna, Italy, challenging pro-lifers
to persevere. “Millions of human lives have been sacrificed this century
in the name of totalitarian ideologies and lies... innocent human beings
who are not yet born continue to be suppressed... many people thought
that they could made do without God...”. (The Interim, Cathy Brunka:
Sept. 28, 1997 What we are witnessing is a loss of the sense of God, man
and sin; a devaluation of truth resulting from lack of education in
truth and spiritual formation in living the truth. This is the result of
the binding of democracy and ethical relativism, which devoid of moral
values develops into a form of totalitarianism. “If there is no ultimate
truth to guide and direct political activity, then ideas and convictions
can easily be manipulated for reasons of power... a democracy without
values turns easily into open or thinly disguised totalitarianism. (Centissimus
Annus, 1991, No. 46)
The sanctity of family life must be preserved.
This is essential as we prepare for the Jubilee 2000. We are called to
imitate the Supreme Holy Family, the Trinity and the Holy Family of
Nazareth, Jesus, Mary and Joseph. They offer us in their family life an
example of holiness and perfection. We might be tempted at times to
give up in following the footsteps of God, but we see before us a human
family. Jesus is the source and example of all sanctity. He is the
reason for the season. Mary and Joseph are His perfect followers and
disciples. Jesus gives us the supreme example. Mary and Joseph point out
the possibility of perfectly following Him. He leads us in the straight
and narrow way. Mary and Joseph encourage us, weak and human as we are,
to walk behind Him. We often excuse ourselves by saying we cannot follow
the heroism of the saints. Here in the Holy Family, we have a
magnificant model of service and love to God and fellow man, family life
centered on prayer and work, simple yet sublime, with absolute fidelity
to the ordinary tasks of life, transforming everyday opportunities from
the ordinary into extraordinary blessings. This is what can make every
day an unprecedented remarkable day — a Christmas Day! “The future of
humanity passes by way of the family. It is indispensable and urgent
that every person of good will should endeavor to save and foster the
values and requirements of the family. Loving the family means being
able to appreciate its values and capabilities - fostering them always -
identifying the dangers and evils that menace it - creating an
environment for its development. The families of today must be called
back to their original position. They must follow Christ” (Approprinquat
Iam, 1980, Pope John Paul II, Letter).
¤
Back to index
GIVE
GLORY TO THE HOLY TRINITY
(BUILD A ClVlLlZATlON OF LOVE)
Fr. Jim Whalen
1997, Issue 4
Give Glory to the Holy Trinity. Pope
John Paul II has declared that this is the aim of the great Jubilee
2000: “This mystery is the focus of the three years of immediate
preparation from Christ and through Christ, in the Holy Spirit to the
Father.” (Tertio Millennio Adveniente, 1994, P.65)
He called our attention to the fact
that we are living in a time of a great crisis of truth evident in a
crisis of concepts. “Only if the truth about freedom and the communion
of persons in marriage and in the family can regain its splendor. Will
the building of the civilization of love truly begin and will it then be
possible to speak concretely as the council did about promoting the
dignity of marriage and the family.” (Letter to Families, P.43)
He points out that the Jubilee offers
us the opportunity to reflect on various challenges of our time, such as
meeting the challenge of secularism, which he identifies as the crisis
of civilization: “which in the west is highly developed from the
standpoint of technology but is interiorly impoverished by its tendency
to forget God or to keep Him at a distance. The crisis of civilization
must be countered by the civilization of love, founded on the universal
values of peace, solidarity, justice and liberty, which find their full
attainment in Christ”. (Tertio Millennio Advenente, 1994, p.63) He asks
us to examine ourselves in regard to the widespread loss of the
transcendent sense of human life, and confusion in the ethical sphere,
even about the fundamental values of respect for life and the family.
The Holy Father is definitive in
highlighting Christ’s living and saving presence in the Church, as the
source of divine life, by choosing to center the year 2000 around an
International Eucharistic Congress in Rome. It is in celebrating Mass,
as members of the Mystical Body of Christ, the family of families, the
Church, that we participate most fully in god’s life, the Holy Trinity.
We are called to a renewed appreciation of the Holy Trinity Family’s
activities in our life. It was in a human family, the Family of
Nazareth, that God chose to enter into human history. It is in the
Eucharist that God chose to remain present with His human family. It is
in the sacrament we see the activity of the Holy Trinity Family, and
live our spiritual life.
Our New Year, 1998, is dedicated to the
Holy Spirit, with a renewed appreciation of the eschatological
perspective as evident in a basic attitude of hope which “encourages the
Christian not to lose sight of the final goal which gives meaning and
value to life.” (Tertio Millennio Advenente, 1994, p.58)
One concrete way we can give glory to
the Trinity is to get our priorities, our value system, in line with our
Holy Father. He has made it very clear that promoting, protecting and
respecting life at all stages, from conception to natural death, is ‘The
definitive issue of our time’. His primary solution is not new but is
the most effective means we have: ‘The Holy Eucharist’. Some parishes
have zeroed in on this fact and celebrate a monthly pro-life mass, with
fasting and a public rosary as well. Pro-life groups in Ottawa at this
time are planning a campaign to encourage this endeavour to end abortion
and related evils. We met in 1997 at a gathering sponsored by Priests
for Life Canada where the National Director (Fr. Jim) spoke on the power
and importance of prayer, fasting and the Holy Eucharist. Among other
ideas proposed by participants was the suggestion of a perpetual
celebration of pro-life Masses to be accompanied by fasting and a public
rosary. (Chuck Fink, St. Mary’s Parish and Deborah La Riccia, Pro-Life
Sunday Coordinator, both of Ottawa ) Each day of the month a different
parish would celebrate a pro-life Mass which would include fasting and a
public rosary. Present at this gathering were representatives of Action
Life, Human Life International, Legion of Mary, Pro-Life Sunday
Committee, Catholic Woman’s League, Parish pro-life committees and
Priests for Life. Archbishop Marcel Gervais was approached about this
idea which he approved for the Archdiocese of Ottawa, suggesting a grass
roots beginning. It remains to set the wheels in motion through mutual
cooperation and planning. Perhaps this idea could be considered by other
dioceses or parishes as well, as a preparation for the Jubilee 2000.
Archbishop Jean Claude Cardinal
Turcotte, President of the CCCB, reflects a constant message of our Holy
Father, especially applicable to pro-lifers by challenging us, asking us
whether our season's greetings “Truly echo the angels’ message to the
shepherds the night of the nativity: Be not afraid, behold, I bring you
good news of a great joy that will come to all the people, to you is
born this day a Saviour, Christ the Lord.” (Christmas message, 1997)
How blessed we are to live at this time
to meet the challenge to build a civilization of love and a culture of
life. This will indeed “Give Glory to the Holy Trinity.” ¤
Back to index
ETERNITY
SMOKING OR NON-SMOKING
PREPARATION FOR PEACE
by Fr. Jim Whalen
1997, Issue 4
Some years ago, Fr. Joseph Gravel, a
teacher at Ottawa University School of Nursing related to his students
an account which occurred at the Sudbury General Hospital. An operating
room nurse, Cecile Rivet, was expected to take part in a 'Dilatation and
Curettage procedure ' (D & C). When she found out it was an abortion,
she refused. The doctor threatened to have her removed permanently from
her work if she did not assist him. She reported it immediately to her
administrator. The doctor was reprimanded. This nurse displayed the
characteristics of an alert and courageous health care worker with
strong Christian moral values.
Today many of our health care workers
are facing the same problem, having to make choices between conscience
and career, as recently reported in the Catholic Register regarding
Bishop Frederick Henry's letter accusing the Thunder Bay Regional
Hospital of riding "Roughshod over ethical considerations 'for the sake
of administrative convenience'." (July 28, 1997). No one should take
part or be forced to assist in abortions. The health care profession is
meant to be "An unflinching affirmation of Life"... "Absolute respect
for every innocent human life also requires the exercise of
conscientious objection in relation to procured abortion and
euthanasia". (Evangelium Vitae #89)
Part of the dilemma revolves around
providing adequate health care, while at the same time allowing for
personal values and moral beliefs. In 1988, the Registered Nurses
Association of Ontario (RNAO) approved the following
excerpt from the Canadian Nurses Association Code of Ethics (though this
code has been changed since 1988, to the best of our knowledge this
section remains unchanged): "A nurse is not ethically obliged to provide
requested care when compliance would involve a violation of her or his
moral beliefs, when that request falls within recognized forms of
health care. However, the client should be referred to a more
appropriate health care practitioner. Nurses who have or are likely to
encounter such situations are morally obliged to seek to arrange
conditions of employment so that the care of clients is not
jeopardized."
The ethical framework for nursing in
Ontario is represented in their magazine: "All nurses have their own
personal values which must not interfere with client's right to receive
care. Clients' values however, are of primary consideration when
planning care...When a client's wish conflicts with a nurse's personal
values, and the nurse believes that she or he cannot provide care, the
nurse needs to arrange for another care giver and withdraw from the
situation. If no other care giver can be arranged, the nurse must
provide the immediate care required. If no other solution can be found,
the nurse may have to leave a particular place of employment in order to
adhere to her or his moral values." (College Communique, Feb. 1995, #20)
Various solutions have been proposed to
resolve this situation of participating in duties that conflict with
health care workers' personal values or moral codes. In the United
States, state legislatures protect health care workers with exemption
statutes, that individuals must claim in writing, with no resulting
penalties or disciplinary action, with accommodation for moral or
religious beliefs. In emergency medical situations the health care
worker is required to assist, as the individual's right to life
overrides the right to a particular lifestyle. In Canada, the long term
solution would be to have conscience clauses enacted at the provincial
and federal levels. This approach is supported by the Charter of Rights
and Freedoms: (Section 2, Freedom of Conscience and Freedom of
Religion). Immediate action would entail appealing to the Workers Union,
the Provincial Labour Board and the Human Rights Board. At present
Campaign Life Coalition is preparing to introduce 'Conscience
Legislation' into Canada. Senator S. Haidasz has drafted a bill to amend
the Criminal Code to prevent coercion of health care workers or offend
personal values or moral standards and religious beliefs.
Pope John Paul II points out that: "For
Hippocratic ethics, as for Christian Morality, the life of each human
being is a value which cannot be called into question...it must be
defended and watched over. In a word, it must be served. If this
imperative applies to everybody, it must apply first and foremost and
above all else to health care workers." (The Charter for Health Care
Workers: A synthesis of Hippocratic Ethics and a Christian Morality,
Vatican City, 1995) The principal aim of the charter is to guarantee
ethical faithfulness of health care workers so they can build through
their choices and behavior a civilization of love and life, without
which society looses its human meaning.
Health care workers are challenged to
uphold the right of man to life and to his dignity. In order to carry
out their preventive and therapeutic stewarding and promotion of health
and the improvement of the lives of people, medical faculties should
allot more time to the study of the Church's social teaching through
appropriate research and interdisciplinary studies. This would enable
students to acquire : "An integrated social vision of the medical
profession, making it possible for them to exercise appropriate
discernment of the requests for medical intervention, making the right
decision and if necessary, being spurred even to the point of
conscientious objection." (Faith Offers Integral Vision of Health Care,
Pope John Paul II, to Italian Catholic Doctors, Nov. 25, 1995) ¤
Back to index
LIFE IS WORTH LIVING
The Latimer Family Tragedy
by Fr. Jim Whalen
1997, Issue 4
Some news reports would have us believe otherwise. The fact is that the
Slippery Slope Agenda is a reality for Canadians with disabilities. In
the guise of mercy killing, Tracy Latimer, 12 years old, a disabled
daughter with Cerebral Palsy, was killed, poisoned, gassed by her
father, Robert Latimer, a Saskatchewan wheat farmer. Tracy warranted the
full protection of the law. Being disabled did not make her less a
person, did not make her life less worth living. She was unable to
defend herself. She did not choose to die. Reporters indicate he killed
her because he loved her. He ended her life because he could not bear to
see her suffer anymore. He could not see any other option. He had no
other alterative. It was an intolerable situation. It seems that fear of
present and future pain was a constant emotional burden for Tracy’s
parents. Reporters gave the impression that the defense claimed the
motive for the alleged crime touched on ‘Mercy Killing’, seen as a form
of pity or compassion, stressing the pain and suffering being endured.
While one can sympathize with anyone
suffering, mercy killing, pity and compassion, must be seen for what
they are. “Mercy killing is an act of direct euthanasia usually
committed for the alleged purpose of ending the suffering of an
unproductive or terminally ill person. In reality, healthy people commit
‘Mercy Killings’ in order to relieve themselves of the inconvenience and
expense of caring for those who have or will become an emotional or
financial burden on them.” (Facts of Life, HLI, Brian Clowes, P.111) As
Tracy was unable to defend herself, involuntary euthanasia took place.
True pity or compassion should result in a positive act of mercy, a life
giving and caring act. When feeling takes precedence and dominates one’s
thinking, the reverse happens. Being human means we must live as we
think or we will think as we live. A wise person once said that we are
called ‘Human Beings’ not ‘Human Doers’ for we reveal our unique value
and dignity by our existence and presence. This calls us to care: “True
compassion leads to sharing another’s pain, it does not kill the person
whose suffering we cannot bear.” (Pope John Paul II, Evangelium Vitae,
#66)
The family as well as the community,
the whole of society, must respect the human dignity of a handicapped
person. This means making available medication, pain control and
necessary therapy. It means providing the required support for the
family, through palliative care and other social services. Teague
Johnson, a young boy of 11 years, with cerebral palsy reflected on
Tracy’s case: “All children are valuable and deserve to live full and
complete lives. No one should make the decision for another person on
whether their life is worth living or not. I have a family and friends
that love me. I have so much to give. I have pain but I do not need to
be put out of my misery... Life is a precious gift. It belongs to the
person to whom it is given. Tracy’s life was hers to make of it what she
could. My life is going to be astounding” (Vancouver Sun, Dec. 9, 1994;
Teague died May 29, 1995. His life was indeed astounding).
The culture of death advocates in our
society consider accepting any suffering as meaningless. The culture of
life advocates teach we are to accept the suffering we cannot change and
ask for the courage to bear it. In the light of human and faith values,
death should not be hastened because of suffering, but the focus should
be on loving care, physical, mental, spiritual and social aspects,
palliative care.
Lack of information or formation can
cause us to loose hope. Lack of faith, or not recognizing our need for
the grace of God can find us empty, confused and unable to cope. Lack of
support from friends and society can cause us to break down. When we
prepare and accept living, suffering, and dying on Our Creator’s terms,
it is His love and mercy that we experience. When we accept His will,
His way, we gain eternal life. There is no burden too great or too heavy
to bear. When we are given the grace of the moment and others like Him
to share our journey with us.
In conclusion, I would like to refer to
a quote by Mother Teresa: “If a mother can kill a child in her womb [and
a father kill his handicapped child], what’s to stop us from killing
each other? ¤
Back to index
|
